Bass

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the value of commercial fishing for bass in UK inshore waters.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 29 November 2004
	Data for the value of commercial fishing for bass in UK inshore waters is not available. However, the total value for landings of bass in 2003 by the UK commercial fleet wherever they fish was approximately £3.2 million.

Hazardous Waste Sites

Mr. Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment was made of Wingmoor Farm, Bishop's Cleeve, Gloucestershire when deciding which sites should be eligible to deal with hazardous waste; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 29 November 2004
	The requirements for a hazardous waste landfill are set out in the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002, as amended by the Landfill (England and Wales)(Amendment) Regulations 2004 and related Pollution Prevention and Control legislation. For those sites, such as Wingmoor Farm, that choose to be designated as hazardous waste landfills, operators had to apply to the Environment Agency for a permit that contained the operating conditions for the site. The agency had to then decide whether a permit should be issued and, if so, what operating conditions would be applied. The Environment Agency is unable to issue a permit unless the necessary planning permissions are in place. I understand that a permit has been issued for Wingmoor Farm.

Hazardous Waste Sites

Mr. Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the safety implications of the transportation of hazardous waste.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 29 November 2004
	Hazardous waste is subject to the controls of the Special Waste Regulations and transport of dangerous goods legislation. Each movement is accompanied by a consignment note and tracked and recorded from the point of production to the place of disposal or recovery. The system is
	regulated by the Environment Agency and ensures that the waste is transported and dealt with appropriately in order to protect the environment and prevent harm to human health.

Pair Trawling

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairswhat action is taken to enforce rules relating to pair trawling of British inshore waters by Spanish vessels.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 29 November 2004
	: Under the Common Fisheries Policy, Spanish vessels do not have access rights to UK coastal waters. Any vessels breaching these rules would be liable to prosecution.

Driving Tests (Gillingham)

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the targets are for the length of time between receipt of an application for a driving test and the date of the test in Gillingham.

David Jamieson: holding answer 29 November 2004
	The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has a single appointment availability target for all practical driving test centres of nine weeks from the date the test is requested. The Agency also has a target to maintain a national average car practical test waiting time for 6 weeks. The current appointment availability at Gillingham is twelve weeks, and DSA is working hard to reduce this.
	For theory test appointments, the target is to give 95 per cent. of candidates an appointment at their preferred test centre within two weeks of their preferred date. The performance figure achieved during October 2004 at Gillingham theory test centre was 92 per cent.

Civil Service Jobs

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs recommended for relocation by the Lyons Review were also recommended to be cut by the Gershon Review.

Paul Boateng: Planned workforce reductions in London and the South East are excluded from the 20,000 posts identified for relocation.

Higher Rate Taxpayers

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many higher rate taxpayers there have been in each county in England in each year since 2000; and what percentage of the total they represent in each case.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer my hon. Friend to table 3.11 "income and tax, by region and country" on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/income   distribution/menu.htm.

Inland Revenue Staff

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff were employed at the Inland Revenue in (a) April 1997 and (b) April 2004; what the reasons were for the change in staff numbers; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The numbers of staff employed in civil service Departments and agencies, including the Inland Revenue, are available on the Cabinet Office's "Civil Service Statistics" website at http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management   information/statistical   information/statistics/index.asp.
	The effects of changes in departmental responsibilities on departmental staff numbers are also available on the website.

Pensioners (Income Tax)

Tom Cox: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the number of pensioners living in (a) the London borough of Wandsworth and (b) Greater London who pay income tax on their income.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer my hon. Friend to table 3.12 'Income and tax for individuals aged 65 and above, by region and country' on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/income   distribution/menu.htm.

Chronic Illnesses and Dementia

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of (a) chronic illness and (b) care for dementia in each of the last three years.

Stephen Ladyman: The data required to attribute national health service spending to classes of disease with the precision the question seeks is not available. However, the cost of treating and caring for patients with chronic disease, including dementias, is significant and this Government are committed to increasing investment in the NHS year-on-year, so that the needs of these patients and their carers are properly addressed.
	That is why, in the 2004 spending review, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, confirmed the sustained high levels of investment that were set in the five-year NHS settlement announced in the 2002 Budget.
	This means that, for the period 2003–04 to 2007–08, expenditure on the NHS in England will increase on average by 7.2 per cent, a year over and above inflation. Over the three years 2005–06 to 2007–08, NHS spending will increase on average by 7.1 per cent, a year over and above inflation; a total increase over the period of 23 per cent. in real terms, taking total spend on the NHS in England from £69 billons in 2004–05 to £92 billion in 2007–08.

Parliamentary Questions

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to how many written questions tabled in the last parliamentary session his Department had been unable to provide a substantive answer before the end of the session.

Ms Winterton: At all times Ministers make every effort to answer questions substantively before prorogation. However this is not always possible. Where right hon. and hon. Members did not receive a substantive response it is open to them to re-table their question this session.

Pregnant Women

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many pregnant women were tested on the NHS for group B streptococcus in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how many babies were born having contracted group B streptococcus from their mother in each of the last three years; how many of these (a) died, (b) contracted meningitis and (c) contracted other related conditions; and what the cost of treating these babies was in each year;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the cost of providing IV antibodies from the onset of labour to all pregnant women identified as carriers of group B streptococcus.

Stephen Ladyman: Information relating to the testing of pregnant women for group B streptococcus (GBS) is not centrally available. It is for local clinicians to decide whether to test individual women for this infection. Guidelines have been issued by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), as well as the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
	Data on the number of babies who are born having contracted the infection is not collected centrally. However, a descriptive analysis of cases of GBS infection in which GBS was isolated from blood (bacteraemia) for the year 2003 only, has been published by the Health
	Protection Agency from routine reports received from microbiology laboratories in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In England and Wales, a total of 208 cases of GBS bacteraemia occurred in the first week after birth (early onset) and a further 103 cases of GBS bacteraemia occurred between seven and 90 days after birth (late onset).
	A special United Kingdom/Republic of Ireland study of infants up to 90 days old with invasive GBS infection (GBS isolated from a normally sterile site), diagnosed between 1 February 2000 and 28 February 2001 found a total of 377 cases of GBS infection that occurred in the first week of life, 53 of who died.
	Following on from the latter study, a further study is being conducted in collaboration with the Oxford perinatal epidemiology group into the economic impact of this infection.
	The cost of providing intravenous antibiotics is not currently centrally available. However, this information will be sought as part of the further work that the National Screening Committee is undertaking on this important topic.

Primary Care Trusts

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average budget deficit or surplus is for a primary care trust in (a) the area covered by the Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic Health Authority and (b) England and Wales.

Stephen Ladyman: Information provided by primary care trusts (PCTs) in the Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic Health Authority area shows they are forecasting an average year-end deficit in 2004–05 of £1.82 million. In 2003–04, the latest year for which audited information is available, PCTs in England made an average surplus of £12,769. Information on matters relating to Wales is a matter for the devolved administration.

Community Support Officers (Detention Powers)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the detentions of 31 people under the Metropolitan Police Community Support Officer detention power pilot resulted in release after the arrival of a police officer; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: This information is not available because the data was not sought during the evaluation of the use of the detention power in the six pilot forces.
	The report "Community Support Officer (Detention Power) Pilot: Evaluation Results" published on 29 September concluded that the evidence collected and analysed in evaluation indicated that the power to detain did not have an adverse effect either on the Community Support Officer or the detainee.
	A decision to arrest or take alternative action is at the discretion of the constable who attends the scene. A decision by a constable not to make an arrest does not imply that the decision by the Community Support Officer to detain was incorrect, particularly if the decision to detain results from an individual's failure to comply with a lawful direction by a Community Support Officer.
	The Association of Chief Police Officers is developing guidance on the power to detain and how it should be exercised. The guidance will be issued shortly.

National Offender Management Service

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether budgets for the National Offender Management Service will be held (a) regionally, (b) nationally and (c) locally.

Paul Goggins: Different elements of the budget for the National Offender
	Management Service will be held at national, regional and local level. Individual budgets will operate within the system according to where they will be most effective in helping to reduce reoffending. Most of the funding for offender services will be held by Regional Offender Managers (ROMs), who will be responsible for planning and commissioning those services.

Departmental Training Courses

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the (a) cost to the Department, (b) title and (c) location was of each training course organised by her Department for its staff in each financial year since 1997–98.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department does not hold this information centrally. This information could be provided only as disproportionate cost.

Devolved Government

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on recent discussions held in Northern Ireland on the restoration of devolved government.

Mr. Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Members for South Antrim (David Burnside) and Edinburgh West (John Barrett).

Connexions (Prisons)

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what work is undertaken by the Connexions service in prisons.

Margaret Hodge: Connexions is working in secure establishments, chiefly Young Offender Institutes, alongside the Prison Service and youth justice professionals, to deliver support services and personal development opportunities aimed at re-engaging young offenders into education, training and employment. The precise role of Connexions depends on the established support structure in each individual prison and is determined locally.

Sector Skills Development Agency

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the (a) resource budget, (b) staffing levels and (c) administration costs of the Sector Skills Development Agency (i) were in each year between 2002 and 2004 and (ii) will be in each year to 2007.

Ivan Lewis: The Sector Skills Development Agency's resource budgets, staffing levels and administration costs for the years from 2002 to 2004 were as shown in the table.
	
		
			   £million 
			  2002–2003 2003–2004 
		
		
			 Resource Budget 22.6 49.58 
			 Staffing Levels 37 65 
			 Administration Costs 3.72 4.93 
		
	
	The forecasted figures for the periods to March 2007 are shown in the following table.
	
		
			£million 
			  2004–2005 2005–2006 2006–2007 
		
		
			 Resource Budget 69.45 62.36 57.36 
			 Staffing Levels 91.6 89.6 89 
			 Administration Costs 5.87 6.18 6.19

Russian Federation (Children)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent support he has given to projects in the Russian Federation aimed at improving facilities for (a) street children, (b) orphans and (c) children with disabilities; what his plans are in this area; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: I refer the hon. Member for Portsmouth South to my response to his previous question dated 20 October 2004, Official Report, column 738W.

Parliamentary Questions

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many written questions for his Department were unanswered when Parliament prorogued; and how many of the unanswered questions were tabled in each of the previous months of the 2003–04 Session.

Anne McGuire: None, all the Office's outstanding written questions were answered before prorogation.

Certain Conventional Weapons Convention

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the UK to ratify Protocol V to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

Adam Ingram: Adam Ingram The United Kingdom intends to ratify Protocol V at an early opportunity.

Human Rights Act

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many cases have been brought against his Department under the Human Rights Act 1998; and what has been the cost in (a) legal fees to defend cases and (b) compensation payments.

Adam Ingram: In line with policy and practice in other Government Departments, the Ministry of Defence does not record separately those cases brought against the Department raising issues under the Human Rights Act 1998. Human rights are now integrated in the general law and are rarely the sole basis for a challenge.
	The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 21 October.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Minister for Media and Heritage replied to you on 25 November.
	The letter of 21 October was not received in the Department until 25 November 2004, and was replied to immediately.

European Constitution

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the effect of the coming into force of the European Constitution on the operation of his Department, with reference to (a) changes in legislative competence, (b) the extension of qualified majority voting, (c) the increased legislative role of the European Parliament, (d) the cost of implementation of regulations, (e) the requirements of adherence to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and (f) the quantity of legislation originating in the EU institutions.

John Hayes: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 29 November 2004, Official Report, column 10W, by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Equatorial Guinea

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials had discussions in an official capacity with the former right hon. Member for Hartlepool during the last 12 months concerning Equatorial Guinea.

Jack Straw: Neither I nor Ministers in my Department have had discussions at any time about Equatorial Guinea with the former right hon. Member for Hartlepool. Since 14 September officials have had some contact with him and his office, first to inform his office of the letter my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Chris Mullin) was sending to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), and then in response to approaches by the former right hon. Member for Hartlepool and his office regarding recent media reports that named him in connection with the alleged coup plot.

Hamas

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  whether the Government was consulted about the discussions held by the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy with Hamas; whether discussions were authorised by the Council of Ministers; under what authority the discussions took place; whether discussions have taken place with other organisations and individuals on the European Union list of terrorist organisations and individuals; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what representations he has made to (a) foreign governments and (b) European Union institutions regarding the holding of discussions with Hamas since Hamas was included on the European Union list of terrorist organisations; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  when the Government first became aware of discussions between Javier Solana and Hamas; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 30 November 2004
	As the spokesman of the European Union High Representative, Javier Solana, said on 24 November: "the Office of the High Representative Javier Solana clarifies that at no time Dr. Solana wished to imply that direct contacts between himself and Hamas had taken place. Any mention of contacts or meetings with Hamas referred to soundings and impressions conveyed to him but gathered by governments and other parties on the ground. At no time did the High Representative, nor his office, hold any direct contacts with Hamas or any other organisations appearing on the EU 'terrorist list'." There was no discussion of any such contacts at the Council of Ministers.

Sudan

Mr. Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with the Government in Sudan on the situation there.

Chris Mullin: In recent months my right hon. Friends, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of State for International Development, and I have all visited Sudan and held in depth meetings with the Sudanese Government. Most recently the Foreign Secretary spoke to the First-Vice President on the telephone on 16 November. We are in regular contact with the Sudanese Government through our Ambassador in Khartoum. Discussions cover both the situation in Dafur and the North-South peace process.

Theft and Fraud

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will launch an inquiry into the levels of theft and fraud in his Department committed by officials and contractors.

Chris Pond: A typographical error by Hansard in reporting a response to a previous question overstated levels of fraud and theft by a factor of 1,000. The actual level of fraud detected involving contractors is less than 1/20 of 1 per cent. of the level of expenditure. The actual level of frauds involving staff is even smaller.
	The Department has recently formed a dedicated unit with responsibility for the prevention, deterrence and investigation of internal fraud. Over a number of years actual levels of fraud and theft by contractors and officials has not significantly changed and while the Department will continue to take all reasonable steps to reduce this further it does not give grounds for an inquiry.

European Constitution

John Hayes: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, if he will make a statement on the effect of the coming into force of the European Constitution on the operation of his Department, with reference to (a) changes in legislative competence, (b) the extension of qualified majority voting, (c) the increased legislative role of the European Parliament, (d) the cost of implementation of regulations, (e) the requirements of adherence to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and (f) the quantity of legislation originating in the EU institutions.

David Lammy: I refer the honourable Member to the reply given by my honourable Friend the Minister for Europe to the honourable Member for South Holland and The Deepings on 29 November 2004, Official Report, column 10W.